Aiban
Format間判
Definition
An intermediate print format measuring approximately 33.5 x 22 cm (13.2 x 8.7 in), sized between oban and chuban.
Aiban in Detail
Aiban is an intermediate format that falls between the standard oban and the smaller chuban sizes. At approximately 33.5 x 22 centimeters, it offers a middle ground for compositions that require more space than chuban but less than a full oban sheet. The format was used periodically throughout the history of Japanese woodblock printing.
The aiban format saw particular use in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries for actor prints and certain landscape series. Its proportions differ slightly from a simple reduction of oban — the aspect ratio is somewhat narrower, giving prints a distinctive visual character. Some publishers preferred aiban for particular series or subject categories.
In the modern era, aiban appears less frequently than oban, but remains part of the traditional format vocabulary. Contemporary printmakers occasionally choose aiban for compositions that benefit from its particular proportions and intimate but substantial scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aiban?
An intermediate print format measuring approximately 33.5 x 22 cm (13.2 x 8.7 in), sized between oban and chuban.
What does 間判 mean?
間判 (Aiban) is a term used in Japanese woodblock printmaking. An intermediate print format measuring approximately 33.5 x 22 cm (13.2 x 8.7 in), sized between oban and chuban.
How is Aiban used in Japanese woodblock prints?
Aiban is an intermediate format that falls between the standard oban and the smaller chuban sizes. At approximately 33.5 x 22 centimeters, it offers a middle ground for compositions that require more space than chuban but less than a full oban sheet. The format was used periodically throughout the history of Japanese woodblock printing. The aiban format saw particular use in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries for actor prints and certain landscape series. Its proportions differ slightly from a simple reduction of oban — the aspect ratio is somewhat narrower, giving prints a distinctive visual character. Some publishers preferred aiban for particular series or subject categories.
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